Fresh Flavor

Jane Morgan's New Approach to the Big Hits.

In every life there are seminal moments when things become clear and the future changes forever. For me, one of those moments came in 1986 when I bought this record for a quarter in Port Jefferson, NY. I had long since given up on popular music (my last favorite band, ABBA, hadn't had an album in years), and I was ready for my musical tastes to mature. When I popped on this record and heard Jane's swinging version of "Good Lovin'", an entire new world of music opened up for me. And I've been collecting records like this one ever since.

Jane Morgan was some sort of big-band singer in the 40's and 50's. I know because I found some old Jane Morgan albums at a thrift store once. Here, we find her applying that big-band style to the Big Hits of the day (I can't find a date on the album, but it looks late-60ish). This seems to have been a big thing among record executives for a number of years -- find some pre-Rock and Roll performer who's not quite pulling in the crowds anymore, and have them record their New Approach to that year's Top 10. Even Tony Bennett fell for it (see his "Tony Sings the Great Hits of Today" elsewhere on this site).

According to the liner notes on this album, "Every once in a while, even the most hardened control room crew lights up like a teenager meeting his or her idol for the first time. It happened quite recently in our studios when Jane Morgan sang a collection of contemporary hits, in her own very special style, for this new Epic album". Well, I have to admit that I lit up when I heard this record, too, though my motivations were somewhat different.

dokusentia
(dokusenta@aim.com)
says:
Thank you so much for a wonderful site full of interesting, odd and irresistible gems!

My CD copy of Jane Morgan's "In My Style / Fresh Flavor" arrived in the mail from Amazon.com today! I'd have never ran across such a wonderful morsel of music if it were not for this site! Thanks again! :)
(04-23-2009)

Condo. La Laguna, Cuenca-Ecuad
(fabiolalba@gmail.com)
says:
I love this page!!! But I would like to buy the 1969 Tony Bennett's: TONY SINGS THE GREAT HITS OF TODAY, as I have so many wounderful times from back when this record was popular I was a teen in 1969 but I loved it! So please write and tell me in what record stores is sold in NYCity. Thanking you in advance. Faby
(12-10-2008)

Retromeister
(Georgebettinger@aol.com)
says:
Dear Jane Morgan FansI have a Kodachrome home movieof Jane in the '65 Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade.The camera was up close and there is a lovelyclose up of Jane perched on the butterfly's.The color is beautiful. If anyone wishes to purchase a VHS of this parade please let me know.The footage is silent naturally. No Camcorders in those days but it iis quite stunning. Email me for more details.BestGeorge
(10-30-2008)

David Piercy
(piercydavid@hotmail.com)
says:
Well, SEPIA RECORDS in the UK did release a cd by Jane Morgan...some very old 78's and two with the talened Bernard Hilda. STILL something is missing...someone should put all Jane's Vogue, Parolophone, Kapp, Colpix, ABC, Epic and RCA 45's on cd...or it would be at least 2 cd's...or more!
(03-17-2008)

David
(piercydavid@hotmail.com)
says:
Well, as most JM fans know, Savoy Records released a cd of Jane's older stuff...and sang 2 songs with Bernard Hilda...super sounding after all these years. Too bad someone in the US didn't think to release these songs....BUT there are sooo many more 45's unreleased.
(03-08-2008)

Jack Briscoe
says:
Personally, I think this is her worst album. Her style is just not suitable for 'fast' songs. It's like listening to a bad record (pun intended). She should stick to classicals or broadway hits. Check out her new CD "American songbird in Paris" - now this is Jane at her best.
(11-06-2007)

chris
says:
anyone know where I can find "these boots are made for walking" in french? I heard it the other day and was told it was Jane Morgan...thanks
(09-08-2007)

David Piercy
(piercydavid@hotmail.com)
says:
Well, it has been some time since I wrote anything on this site...this is to say that JANE MORGAN is doing well and celebrated a birthday on May 3...we need a 'new' cd by this lady...even if it is a commpilation from the old archives!
(07-08-2007)

Tatchai Suktanan
(Mulli3_@hotmail.com)
says:
I am Jane Morgan's fan.I love Miss Morgan's voice very much. I'm Thai from Thailand. I love all of her songs. If there is anyway I can get in touch with ner, please advice.
(06-30-2007)

Canadian expat
(simpar123@aol.com)
says:
Back home in Canada during the fifties and sixtiesI realy enjoyed listening to Ms. Jane Morgan's voice, music and really digged her sex appeal.. and you what .. still do!

Still a FASCINATION from downtown Paris, France
(02-09-2007)

Bill Munette
(billnrobb@adelphia.net)
says:
Ok all you Jane Morgan fans.......My partner and I just purchased the 1790's home she grew up in....(yes it's haunted)....the house her brother bought and turned the barn into the Kennebunkport Playhouse! I since have started collecting memorabilia about the playhouse and Jane's albums. If there is anyone who can help me out with any albums and such drp me an email!Thanks,Bill
(02-03-2007)

pete meadows
(petemeadows@btinternet.com)
says:
im a very big fan of jane morgan i think i have all her lps 28 in all i have lots twice most in stereo i think she is still alive my number one singer is keely smith i see her every year in america keep swinging
(09-21-2006)

Luuk
(luukbonthond@wanadoo.nl)
says:
As an Elvis Presley fan I am looking for original versions of songs later recorded by Elvis. Jane Morgan's "What now my love" is one of them but I cannot trace a CD with this song, especially since she is totally unknown in The Netherlands.Can anybody send me an MP3 of this song or direct me to a CD that features this song? Thanks!
(06-05-2006)

David Piercy
(piercydavid@hotmail.com)
says:
So many things have been said about Jane's FRESH FLAVOR...well, it seems that if Jane had continued to do songs the same way she did on most of the KAPP RECORDS, then someone would have said she is just boring...so, doing something different for EPIC like on FRESH FLAVOR has brought criticism...just goes to show that you can't please everyone, but the fact is Jane Morgan pleased MOST and that is what is important.
(03-11-2006)

Brian
(Brianeh203@aol.com)
says:
THE FIRST LP I EVER BOUGHT OF JANE'S WAS KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE.I NEVER HAD HEARD HER SING MUCH LESS HEARD OF HER..I WAS AMAZED WHEN I LISTENED.SINCE THEN I HAVE MANY LP'S AND NOW TRYING TO FIND THEM ON CD, SO FRESH FLAVOR RE ISSUE IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO MY COLLECTION!JANE IS OUTSTANDING ON ALL HER VOCALS, AND THE MUSIC IS GREAT..I REALLY DO THINK SHE WAS WAY AHEAD OF HER TIME, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUST AS BIG AS OTHER FEMALE SINGERS OF HER TIME..LIKE PATTI PAGE, DORIS DAY, EYDIE GORME..SHE IS A HUGE TALENT , AND A VOICE OF A LEGEND!
(03-07-2006)

JD
says:
I found out about "Fresh Flavor" right here (THANK YOU!) and it has been released on CD by Oldies.com with another of Miss Morgan's albums called "In My Style".

"Style" was released in 1965 and "Flavor" in 1966 but, I have to tell you, "Fresh Flavor" is a gem. When I played "Monday,Monday" for a friend he didn't even recognize that it was the John Phillips song...he just kept commenting on how wonderful the song, singer and arrangement was. A regret I have is never seeing her perform live.

To Susan Pelley...what sweet and wonderful memories you have! Your parents are a very special couple and how nice, truly, that even with her Alzheimers, your mother can still share all those happy times. I hope your blessings continue for you and all your "clan".

Peaceful BlessingsJD
(01-24-2006)

Julie Faconi
(soon2bjd@hotmail.com)
says:
My grandfather, Norbert Faconi (Cohn) wrote a song, once sung by Jane Morgan entitled "Once More My Love" if anyone has ever heard it, or knows where we can find it, it would be greatly appreciated.. the only copy of the single record we had, was destroyed during a move. Thanks!!
(12-28-2005)

Stephen
says:
Can somebody tell me if Jane Morgan's version ofMY FAVORITE THINGS (1961) ever appeared on a Christmas album with other artists--one of those compilation issues?? THANKS!! Love her version!!
(12-20-2005)

Donna
(artndonna@metrocast.net)
says:
My dad was a professional drummer and used to play with Jane Morgan when she was at the Playhouse in Kennebunkport. He took me to a show when I was little and brought me backstage to meet her. Her perfume made me sneeze! I would love to get a note to her. My dad played drums for her for years...any ideas where to send it?
(11-18-2005)

mike
says:
What are all the comments about the arrangements? Did any of you ever hear a sixties pop song? The arrangement for "the twist" by Chubby Checker outshines any trad-pop arrangement in the spaz department any day. O.K. the kazoos are a bit over the top, but certainly a pop interpretation of a rock and roll song would use a different arrangement, and while traditional pop -which is what this is- had been replaced by some of america's youth as its main form of music, by no means were trad-pop singers, like Frank or Ella or Lena or Jane on their way out with parents (or likers of good music), whom this album is obviously geared towards. I would rate most campy lounge singers over almost any "rock-and-roll" singer any day.
(11-10-2005)